Hundreds of millions of people are now creating content on social media—either as their full-time job, a lucrative side-hustle, or just for fun. And as the creator economy continues to boom, emerging talent continues to rise. Among these creators are young changemakers working toward bettering their lives and the lives of others, too. They lead efforts to influence laws and policies, promote inclusion within the beauty industry, conduct extensive research on the impact of social media and develop solution-based apps that enable us to regain control of our screen time. One of those standout creators is Drew Afualo, the TikToker-turned-media mogul known for her humor and women-centered content. At 29-years-old, Afualo has built a massive following of 9 million with her relatable take on internet culture—and her fight for women's empowerment, using her platform to challenge online hate and promote positive social change. Now with more than just TikTok posts in her repertoire, she earned $2.9 million last year through brand partnerships and her podcasts The Comment Section and Two Idiot Girls, and became a New York Times best-selling author with her memoir LOUD: Accept Nothing Than the Life You Deserve.

Tim Tadder for Forbes

Afualo is just one of this year’s 30 Under 30 Social Media 2025 cohort, made up of the young founders, industry leaders, and legislative changemakers who are redefining the creator economy. Another is Carlos........

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